Many High School Sophomores went to school Wednesday, March 22, not knowing what they could specifically expect from Gilmer’s Reality Day, but all had a chance to take a closer look at life after school.

Set to examine life roughly ten years into their future, the tenth graders from Gilmer High School entered the Civic Center on Old Highway 5 in groups throughout the day. They would walk to the “bank” to find out what job they wound up with and what salary that job provided them for monthly bills. They were also randomized to see if they had gotten married and had kids.

After finding out how much they would pay in taxes out of their monthly pay, students split up going to numerous stations to budget for their house, car, insurance, childcare, clothes, groceries, even trying to budget in a few extras for themselves asking the question, “How bad do I need that iphone or ipad?”

If at any point the students were spending more than they could afford, they wound up at the Out of Money table where they got advice on some changes they could make, or be forced to get a second job to make up for the difference.

Volunteers from the community are what makes this day possible according to Merle Naylor, Executive Director at Gilmer County Family Connections who sponsor the event. Naylor also managed the day and volunteers to provide this experience for students.

In fact, roughly 45 volunteers throughout the day served a total of 334 students over the four groups. While volunteers are always needed, Naylor revealed her biggest issue of the day stating, “You’d like to spend more time with students.”

A sentiment also found at tables as students came to Out of Money with different issues each time. One student arrived with Luxury Furniture and high end things on a low salary job, the student still hadn’t budgeted clothing or groceries and had a volunteer trying to offer suggestions on sacrificing some of the things for a lower cost to spread the budget.

Local Commission Chairman Charlie Paris found himself trying to sell houses and apartments to students in similar situations. Volunteering for his third year, Paris stated, “I wish they had something like this when I was growing up… This is giving them their first real indication of what’s coming.”As sophomores coming in, Paris also took time to applaud the idea that these students still have a chance to adjust for the future.

One of the surprises I found during the day came from the Unexpected Events table. Mirroring life’s tendency to not go according to plan, this station would allow students to draw a card from a deck of varying events from a pet’s surgery to needing to replace a microwave.

Planting the seed of thought is where Naylor and many volunteers drew their thought of “success” for the program by bringing students to a point where they really begin looking at their transition from school to a college program or straight into their career. Taking a day to learn how to “stretch their money” may enlighten students to what life could hold or to an idea of how to better achieve their own goals for the future.